In just six weeks, Yankees pitchers and catchers will report to spring training.
Up to now, it's been a ho-hum winter in the Bronx, without a notable trade or free-agent signing (while the rest of the AL East has been active).
Will the Yanks make any significant upgrades to a club that bowed out in the 2025 Division Series?
Does that include a Cody Bellinger reunion?
Since it's never too early for bold, reckless prognosticating, let's take a few big swings – 26 Yankees predictions for 2026:
Top 25 MLB players from 2000-2025 ranked by Wins Above Replacement
1. Jazz Chisholm Jr. stays
All that Jazz about a potential trade is just talk. Chisholm is the Yanks' Opening Day second baseman, playing his free-agent walk year without an extension.
2. Cody Bellinger decides
Three weeks before camps open, Cody Bellinger shuns the New York teams and signs a five-year, $160 million contract with the world champion Dodgers.
3. February trade
GM Brian Cashman sends two mid-level prospects and one lottery ticket prospect to St. Louis in exchange for Cardinals lefty reliever JoJo Romero.
4. Third-base swap
On consecutive late January days, Alex Bregman (Blue Jays) and Bo Bichette (Red Sox) sign, while the Yanks invite Alex Rodriguez to camp as an instructor.
5. Martian's new look
Determined to improve on his .569 OPS vs. lefties, Jasson Dominguez arrives in camp with a new right-handed batting stance eerily similar to Aaron Judge.
6. Spring training buzz
Cam Schlittler's new changeup has everyone buzzing in camp. "Not fair!'' says an impressed Aaron Judge, after facing the right-hander during live BP.
7. Familiar face on the mound
A month before his 41stbirthday, David Robertson – the last active link to the Yanks' last world championship – gets a non-roster invite to camp.
8. The outfield winner is…
Capping a solid spring, Jasson Dominguez is named the Opening Day left fielder, and Spencer Jones opens the season at Class AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
9. Yankees' Opening Day lineup
Trent Grisham, CF; 2. Aaron Judge, RF; 3. Ben Rice, 1B; 4. Giancarlo Stanton, DH; 5. Jazz Chisholm Jr., 2B; 6. Jasson Dominguez, LF; 7. Austin Wells, C; 8. Jose Caballero, SS; 9. Ryan McMahon, 3B.
10. Opening Day vs. Giants
At San Francisco, Max Fried tosses a one-hitter across six innings and the Yankees score a 2-1, 10-inning win over the Giants on Opening Day.
11. Welcome back, Carlos Rodon
Having rehabbed from an offseason elbow procedure, Carlos Rodon returns to the rotation May 5 at Yankee Stadium, in a no-decision vs. theTexas Rangers.
12. Welcome back, Part 2: Anthony Volpe
On May 15, Anthony Volpe (offseason shoulder surgery) makes his 2026 debut, going 0-for-3 against the Mets at Citi Field.
13. The cycle and Subway sweep
On May 17, Volpe becomes the first Yankee since 2009 (Melky Cabrera) to hit for the cycle as the Yankees sweep the Mets in the initial Subway Series of '26.
14. CC Sabathia's night at Yankee Stadium
Before the June 3 game against the Cleveland Guardians, Hall of Fame lefty CC Sabathia has his No. 52 officially retired in a ceremony at Yankee Stadium.
15. Welcome back, Part 3: Gerrit Cole
On June 16, ace Gerrit Cole goes five innings in his long-awaited return from Tommy John surgery, getting a victory vs. theChicago White Soxat the Stadium.
16. Yankees hit low point of the season
Losing six out of seven at Detroit and Boston in late June, the Yankees plunge into fourth place, forcing the front office to initiate a critical midseason strategy.
17. Big promotions in Spencer Jones and Elmer Rodriguez
Promoting two top prospects on June 29, slugger Spencer Jones is installed in left field and righty Elmer Rodriguez is plugged into the rotation.
18. Aaron Judge and Jazz Chisholm Jr. are All-Stars
Aaron Judge and Jazz Chisholm Jr. are the Yankees' only All-Star representatives at Philadelphia, where the National League All-Stars triumph, 7-6.
19. Cody Bellinger returns with Dodgers
Making his Bronx return on July 17, Cody Bellinger clubs three home runs, Shohei Ohtani hits two, and the Dodgers go on to take two of three games at Yankee Stadium.
20. Major trade with Marlins
Will Warren and pitching prospect Bryce Cunningham are part of a late July trade package to Miami in exchange for Marlins starter Sandy Alcantara.
21. Major trade, Part 2: Subway swap
At the MLB trade deadline, the Yankees and Mets make a rare blockbuster deal, swapping Yanks starter Luis Gil for third baseman Mark Vientos.
22. Hot August stretch
Spencer Jones and Cam Schlittler are named player and pitcher of the month, and the Yankees' 19-8 August mark moves them within two games of AL East-leading Toronto.
23. Unlikely heroes win September awards
Elmer "E-Rod'' Rodriguez wins September's AL Rookie of the Month award, while fill-in closer Cade Winquest earns Reliever of the Month honors for the surging Yanks.
24. Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton's home run total
On the final day of the regular season, Aaron Judge hits his 51sthomer of the year, Giancarlo Stanton hits No. 44, and the Yanks enter postseason as the second wild-card seed.
25. Royal flush in playoffs
At Kansas City, the Royals eliminate the Yankees in a four-game AL Division Series, sending K.C. to the AL Championship Series against the Blue Jays.
26. Consolation prize for Steinbrenner
After the Dodgers win a third straight World Series, Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner is cited by Forbes for his fiscal responsibility in keeping the team's payroll at $299 million.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com:New York Yankees predictions for 2026: Free agency news and updates
